Id-ul-Fitr

Id-ul-Fitr falls on 31^st of August 2011. In India this Id is also called Meethi Eid.

It is a prominent Muslim festival and celebrated throughout the world.

As per the Islamic Calendar, Id-ul-Fitr is celebrated on the first day of the 10^th Islamic month of Shawwal. It marks the end of month-long fasts of Ramadaan. This festival is celebrated differently in different countries however fasting and offering prayers are common features throughout the world.

Muslims celebrate Id by wearing new clothes; women wear jewellery and apply Mehndi (henna). In Muslim dominated areas markets are specially decorated and people enjoy shopping.

Jama-Masjid in Delhi is the centre point of attraction and there is a great hustle and bustle in the area. A lot of Hindus and people of other religions also participate in various ways; this day is usually a public holiday.

Pillars of Islamic Faith ……

The Islamic faith rests on five pillars which are as follows:

1.    Faith

2.    Prayer

3.    Care of the Needy

4.   Self-Purification

5.    Pilgrimage

1.    Faith: Muslims trust in the declaration called ‘Shahada’ which says that there is only one supreme God and prophet Muhammad is His messenger

2.    Prayer: Muslims call it ‘Salat’, it is a prayer which is performed five times a day and is believed to put the worshipper in direct contact with God.

3.    Care of the Needy: Muslims believe that everything belongs to God so a part of one’s income is kept for the needy. This practice is called ‘Zakat’ and helps in self-purification and growth.

4.   Self-Purification: It is through fasting. Muslims keep fast from dusk to dawn throughout the month of Ramadan.

5.    Pilgrimage: This is called Hajj. For all those who are fit enough should go on annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

During Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca the main point of attraction is Kaaba. It is a large structure inside the mosque called Masjid-al- haram which means the Sacred Mosque.

It is interesting to talk here a little about Kaaba. It is a rectangular cuboid shape of granite stone. Kaaba is kept covered with a cover made of black silk and is known as Kiswah, this cover is replaced every year during the Hajj.

Muslims everywhere in the world face towards Kaaba during their daily prayers. During Hajj, worshippers pray in concentric circles around this structure.

Is there a link between Kaaba and Vaastu …….?

Strangely enough this is true as I have discovered a link between the two. I shall try to explain this new discovery. The following picture shows the real sacred Kaaba structure.

The view of Hajj congregation around sacred Kaaba

In my recent study I have discovered some features which prove beyond doubt that the designers of Kaaba kept the ancient Vaastu principles in mind while planning it and these are listed below point by point:

1.    Shape of Kaaba: As per Vaastu principles the best shapes are square or rectangular and Kaaba is in the shape of a rectangular cuboid.

2.    Directional Alignment: The Kaaba structure is perfectly aligned on the magnetic cardinal directions of North, South, East and West.

3.    Chandramukhi Shape: The structure is longish on north-to-south as compared to east-to-west as shown below. Such a structure as per Vaastu is most auspicious.

4.   Importance of the South-East corner: At the south-east corner a black stone set in silver is embedded and is visible from outside. It is believed that Ibrahim placed it there and it was sent to him by angels. As the worshippers move around the Kaaba and go past this stone they either kiss it (if possible) or just point towards it.

I believe this stone has divine powers and energises the Agni-cona which is the south-east corner as per Vaastu.

          SOUTH                                                     NORTH

                     South-East corner                           EAST

                                          Sketch relating the Kaaba with Vaastu Principles         

The planet governing the south-east corner as per Vaastu is Venus which governs the week day Friday. So Friday prayers also called Jummaha are important for Muslims.

        Is there a link between Kaaba and Feng-Shui …….?

You may be surprised but I have discovered that yes there is a link between the two.

The total area of Kaaba comes to 627 square feet.

Using the principles of Numerology this figure can be reduced as follows:

                              627=6+2+7=15

So this number 15 points to the Magic Square as used in Feng Shui and shown below: